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State board passes resolution urging CEA and DCTA not to file a suit on S.B. 10-191

Oct. 10, 2013News Release

State board passes resolution urging CEA and DCTA not to file a suit on S.B. 10-191

Board holds study sessions on achievement gaps and Amendment 66

The Colorado State Board of Education met for its regularly scheduled meeting Wednesday, Oct. 9 and Thursday, Oct. 10. Highlights from the meeting include:

Resolution

The state board voted to pass a resolution that urges the Colorado Education Association (CEA) and Denver Classroom Teachers Association (DCTA) not to file a lawsuit or any future legal challenge to the constitutionality of Senate Bill 10-191 (the state’s educator evaluation system). The resolution states that in the event CEA/DCTA does not engage in good faith negotiations and chooses to file a lawsuit challenging the educator evaluation law, the commissioner of education and the state board of education will defend any such lawsuit to the fullest extent of the law, to preserve the integrity of S.B. 10-191 and the ongoing education reforms in Colorado.

Study Sessions

Staff shared a range of analyses on the state’s student achievement gaps between student subgroups. Staff discussed what they are learning from the analysis, where they are seeing schools/districts outperform the state, what we might be able to learn from these schools/districts and the research on closing achievement gaps and the steps the state is taking to close achievement gaps. To view the presentation, click here. Staff from Nisley Elementary (Mesa County School District 51) shared best practices and strategies for success as they were recently identified as a 2013 Title I Distinguished School.

The state board recognized one Colorado school that earned the prestigious national Green Ribbon Award and one district that earned the District Sustainability Award. Kinard Core Knowledge Middle School (Poudre School District) in Ft. Collins was among 64 schools nationwide honored for their exemplary efforts to reduce environmental impact and utility costs, promote better health, and ensure effective environmental education, including civics and green career pathways. In addition, Douglas County School District was among 14 districts nationwide honored for the first-ever District Sustainability Award. For more, visit http://www.cde.state.co.us/communications/20130422greenribbon

Assessments

Colorado will be implementing new state assessments in science and social studies in the spring of 2014 and the English language arts and math assessments from the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) in the spring of 2015. These assessment transitions will have implications for the state, districts, and schools with regard to accountability ratings, educator effectiveness metrics, school/district improvement planning and more. Staff previewed these implications and outlined how the department will be working internally and with school/district stakeholders to address and manage through the transition period. To view the presentation, click here.

Flood Update

Staff provided an update on resources and supports available to districts in wake of the recent Colorado floods. Initially 36 districts were identified as impacted. A cross-unit team at CDE was created to address issues like October count, school hours, transportation, homelessness, mental health and more. A resource webpage is available at http://www.cde.state.co.us/cdegen/cofloodresources.

CDE Strategic Plan

Staff discussed progress made on CDE’s strategic plan and shared refinements to the plan based on an analysis of student performance data and input from across the department. The board provided feedback on the plan and indicated support of the goals and direction of the plan. Staff will submit the final plan to the Office of State Planning and Budgeting pursuant to the SMART Act.

The board voted to approve moving their December 2013 meeting dates from Dec. 4 & 5 to Dec. 11 & 12. As a result of the meeting change, the 2013 School and District Performance Frameworks will be approved and released on Dec. 11, instead of the previously reported Dec. 4 date. The board also approved the 2014 proposed board meeting dates.

The board voted to approve the budget change requests the department has submitted to the Office of State Planning and Budgeting.

Members from the Education Data Advisory Committee presented its 2012-13 annual report. The report highlights the work that EDAC has accomplished this past school year and indicates important work for the future.